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Healer Rhea's POV

Lillian truly did not know how Rhea had done it, but she completely managed to surpass all healing expectations except the fact that her wound was declared as being immortal. The rating could be so much as a curse in the sorts, even with Rhea feeling the small effects prior to the ultimate sacrifice.
Rhea had agreed that she needed at least three days before ever attempting to get up. But the Healer hardly had a few sips of her daily brew before catching the males attempting to help Rhea with her first few steps with her new device.

"I feel like a damn elder." She huffed, her fist nearly turning white if it could from the tightened scarred tissue. Which was another spot of torture as is. "Hm, maybe a leather glove will help you get a better grip." Gilroy offered softly, hoping that it wasn't too far-fetched to manage.

"Yeah, it'll make things easier." Dane agreed while Rolf had eyed Hawes, knowing full well that the male wanted to speak and put in his input, and after a while, translating his cues was like second nature.

"Hawes did some fine leather crafts back in the day, didn't you?" Rolf redirected, and Hawes turned his attention elsewhere before looking down at his torn shoes.

The male was trying not to blush at Rhea's attention, as he—Like the rest of them—wasn't used to the affection and appreciation. "That's a fair trade in the pack, if that's what you're still interested in, Hawes." She said with a rightful smile coming into play, which caused her to take the next given steps towards the muted male.

Of course that meant that both Dane and Gilroy followed just at her sides, but she reached him just fine and placed her hand on his shoulder. Though it turned into more of a grip with the way her face twisted in pain, alerting his concern more than his growing embarrassment.

"Is it true, Hawes?" He nodded, opening his mouth but then fell a bit shy. "Can't work with you if we can't try, remember?" The sigh came from his nose as he tried again, though it was a bit rusted at first.

"ike..m-ak-ing." The caress of his cheek was enough of a reward for Hawes as he ducted away. "I have a favor with the craftsmen, perhaps he'll have a place in his shop for you to get back into the grove, then you'll be his competition." She winked, all before turning back to the entry of the tent itself.

"You're sure this is the best plan?" Dane questioned, but as Rhea turned to look at him, clear conviction toning her features, he took a step back and decided that she would know best.

"Could you get Lillian, she'll—"

"Help? Well, when have you taken my advice in the last few days?" The witch hissed upon coming into view. And Rhea smiled in pure delight in getting just the right amount of fury.
"I did stay in bed the recommended amount, and haven't excreted any energy. I feel well rested."

"Yes, but that was before you have two nexus' running through your soul. You never bothered with the first and now it's detrimental to keep up your strength in case they do spark something." The urge to roll her eyes had never been heavier to hold, but realistically, Rhea had enough time to immortalize whatever her former mentor had left her, in addition to Blair's sacrifice.

It had been a rather heartbreaking reality to hear that she was saved by the kindness of the dying witch, but in Lillian's words—It was the rule of survival.

"Well, how about this, I'll drink as much of that concoction of yours right when I'm finished. Sound good?" Her plan was as good as done as she caught Lillian's perk of her lips, though Osmin's approach of popping out of the private corner with barely a set of trousers covering his lower half, he chuckled.

"Let the female get some fresh air, breathing in the cauldron's fumes for days on end is killing her just as quick as—" The glares from everyone other than Rhea had caused him to fall short on his tease.

"Well I for one think it's hilarious, that's the third time I've been resurrected. No need to pause on my account, now come on...I've got to speak to them eventually." She cheered, picking up her step one at a time and managing well with only a few breaks in between.

However, when one male had caught sight of her—It was the end. Her presence was announced, and all but silently as whoops and cheers had started to pick up on all sides surrounding her walk.

"What have you told them so far?" She whispered to Dane, and he shook his head with a slight frown. "Nothing more than you are in the clear and healing, that you would speak to them in your own time." That was reassuring, though she certainly did have a lot of planning when looking at the number of able bodies there were to transport and allow into Red Moon Pack.

"Good morning everyone, I take it you are all doing well?" She spoke, her voice easily carrying over the crowd that was slowly drawing in closer. "That is good. Because we are a few steps away from leaving this place behind, and believe me, I understand your frustration...I've spoken with a few of the wolves during my time on bed rest, and they are preparing the necessary tools with Healer Lillian to blow up everything that was uncovered in Dreven's excavation." There were a few comments of confusion bustling above, but Rhea had just steadied herself on the cane with one hand and held up the other.

"It was never meant to see the light of day for a reason, and with its reveal could lead to further trouble—More so in regarding the kingdom just over the mountain." Osmin frowned as he took in Rhea's words, wondering just how she knew of the kingdom bordering them on this end of the territory.

His first thoughts on education were wildly downplayed, but he could've placed that all on the Witch she was studying under.

"In addition to this, the plan to strip this place from the bare roots is coming underway. This travel elsewhere will be long, and planning for it will make things easier...Which gets to the better half of my announcement—" Her smile widened, but only for a moment as she turned to Dane, and his own glance had given her the reminder she needed.

She needed their support above all else.

"Prior to my capture, I lived in the Red Moon pack—Their leader, Alpha Stephen, is a fair male. He does not care whether the pack mates are wolf or human. We will need to do a proper head count to get our numbers correct, and there is the factor of those wanting to return to your families—In due time, you will. But I ask that you stay until you get settled back onto your feet and fight through what we have all endured." With a moment to breathe, she allowed her request to filter through their mind.
Hoping that there was a convincing tone in her voice.

"I know this is asking a lot, but I was head Healer in the Red Moon pack. Working just under the Alpha himself—With that, I had acquired a bit of land. A general size that is much too big for one small female. I invite you all to come and settle yourself there. With a bit of work, I think it would become a wonderful neighborhood for all to enjoy...If you do not have a home to return to." There was a bit of hesitation in a few faces, but an offer of support was something that Rhea had appreciated when all inferno had burned her.

However, the crowd knew she was not finished, not with the way she seemed to be fighting with herself in standing steady—Earning her a bit of support from both Dane and Hawes once again.

Though she easily shook it off and straightened her shoulders.

"I have not been honest with you all, and I wish to have my admission to the truth stay here—Between us and no one else...My name is not Rhea. No, my name is Queen Amory Vrovaria, daughter of the late King Armundus Vrovaria." There was a dreadful silence that swept the camp, and upon turning to her closest allies—Their shock was found in their dropped jaws and widened eyes.

While they had started to take in the better part of her features, the ones that were considered royalty once upon a time. She did feel a bit of scrutiny on how much scar tissue truly lingered on her body, but how long has she been plagued with those judgments?

Their thoughts didn't cause her pain. The only phantom edge is when she overworked herself, driving her body mad with the temptation of a break.

Getting completely lost in her thoughts, Rhea hadn't realized what had started to happen to every other male and female throughout the crowd. Most had found themselves in a bow—The very sign of respect that Dane had filled her in on when she had made the sacrifice in killing Dreven.

"I did not share my name for you to treat me any differently, I am a Healer through and through. And I plan to continue the profession in Red Moon...But I want to give you a gift, if you decide to take it." The curiosity continued, and so she nodded towards her own males to share their mark.

"With the Rogue King dead, there is no need for brands. For markings of ownership. I have asked Healer Lillian to collect mountains of an herb to numb burns. If you wish to have your mark removed, we will be burning it off—My males had taken the mark of my crown to hide their past ownership. I offer it to you as well, but from here on out, you are entitled to make your own decisions." Rhea wanted an offer of freedom, truth, and the chance of a future.

Perhaps it was shortsighted for them to understand what scars could do to themselves and their confidence, but there were a few that were prepared to do it now. And thus, Lillian had called in a few helpers to get it all prepared—Plus Rhea's necklace that was once again placed into the hot embers to grow hot enough.

It felt odd—To be placed into a position once would think a deity or priestess should be. But the comfort of hope would always settle into their minds, and even if they did not want her mark, she greeted them just as warmly as prior. Thanking them for their help and asking if they wanted to join the Red Moon pack.

"I will follow you anywhere, Queen Amory."

"I thank you, my Queen, but I have a family I am desperate to return to..."

"Whatever you need, your Majesty."

There were a plethora of answers, and after counting a fair bit of wanting to return to their lives prior to their capture—The number seemed much more manageable to consider living on her property and creating homes for.

The only issue is that traveling would give attention. So when the pack's meeting had finished, Rhea had found herself guzzling down the fowl brew at the table with a map in front of her, prepared for suggestions.

"Rhea, that old farmhouse that we were staying in, do you recall where that was?" Gilroy asked, and she nodded pointing to it directly. "Around this area, here. Whatever your Alpha's name was who held you prior, was here. A day's run from Red Moon. It's all considered no man's land, but fairly decent in terms of location. Good thinking, Gilroy." She smiled, though it was short-lived as the aftertaste of the brew was much more deadly.

And Rhea couldn't help but glare at the witch as she added another serving back into the mug. "You can glare all you want, my queen, but you said as much as I want and I'm feeling betrayed."

"Lillian, I couldn't tell you for very good reason. I haven't spoken my name in over a decade until my males figured out the hints." Osmin had glanced over the original set, though they weren't the only ones under Rhea's blessing now.

There was only a handful who didn't, that didn't want any sign of a monarch etched into their skin.

Osmin was surprised to see his own males follow in pursuit. Though that didn't stop him from accepting it either. And that acceptance had made Rhea's heart swirl, knowing that he was silently asking for forgiveness for their first meeting.

She knew it.
He knew it.
It was all forgotten, just as his brother would be in the coming years after they settled down.

Though Rhea had retained her snarky remark as she caught sight of the Vrovaria symbol on Lillian's wrist as well. Her loyalty meant the world, as did her anger—As it was solid proof that she had fought off the witch's exterior and started to grow a close bond.

They were, after all, the last two witches in the pack full of humans and wolves.

This was the time to start planning for the future.

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Date: 05/28/23

Time: 12:13 (It's sleepy time now)

Words: 2330

Author's Note:

Plans are in motion, hopefully Alpha Stephan is lenient with all these newcomers wanting to join the Pack.

But perhaps it'll be easier for Romulus to finally catch wind of what Rhea has been up to.

Sometimes we can't always wait for a knight in shining armor, and Rhea is living proof of that, with the (Immortal) wound and scars to prove it.